FA CUP hero Louis Saha is poised to take the latest step in his return to full fitness at Everton by making his first start in more than three months.

Goodison manager David Moyes has hinted the French striker will begin up front for the visit of struggling Stoke

City this afternoon.

Saha has not started a game since the 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic on November 24, six days before injuring his hamstring in the win at Tottenham Hotspur.

The problem sidelined the 30-year-old for eight weeks, after which he has been restricted to appearances from the bench.

Saha came off the bench to score in the 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion a fortnight ago, and was then introduced at half-time during last Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough and within 11 minutes had scored the winner.

Moyes said yesterday: “The time has come for Louis to go back in from the start. He has shown he is ready now, and it is just a question of juggling the side to see how we will balance it.

“I think we have to keep an eye on his overall injuries and make sure we get the best of him. He's doing a great job for us now.

Saha is most likely to be partnered up front by Jo, who was cup-tied for last week’s Cup win over Middlesbrough that has set up a Wembley semi-final against Manchester United next month.

However, Moyes has urged his players not to lose focus in the Premier League with the Everton manager retaining the belief his sixth-placed side can make up the seven-point gap to the Champions League qualification berths.

“I'm really excited by beating Middlesbrough and getting into the semi-final but we still have a chance of targeting fourth,” he said.

Dan Gosling is pressing for a return today but Tony Hibbert (thigh), Mikel Arteta (knee) and Nuno Valente (knee) are all definitely out with Andy van der Meyde almost certain to be absent after injuring his hamstring.

Everton have received an allocation of 31,825 tickets for the Wembley semi-final against United, which will take place on Sunday, April 19 at 4pm.

Talks will take place over the weekend about how to allocate these and the club hope to make an announcement early next week.